14 DAY TRIAL // Today is World Aids day and, as you would expect, many web companies are showing their support for the cause. Google didn't go the usual route and sport a doodle to mark the occasion. Instead, it shows a message below the search box with a link to a Google.org page with more information. Twitter went even further by partnering with well-known organization (RED) and turned the site literally red. The organization also set up a Facebook page encouraging users to spread the info amongst their friends. Of the three, Twitter is definitely the most involved dedicating the entire homepage to the campaign. The page has switched from its usual blue hues replacing them with the striking red color associated with the (RED) campaign. It only shows up when you're not logged into the service but even if you don't see the design you're bound to notice the #red hashtag which flooded the service.
The hashtag is now the top trending topic on Twitter and the service is encouraging users to include it in their messages to spread the word. As an interesting touch, the text in the messages which use it will actually turn red, from the usual black, to make them stand out.
(RED) also set up the twitter.com/joinred account to provide more information to interested users and the account is already proving a huge success having reached almost 850,000 followers at this time. A similar account was setup on Facebook and the organization is encouraging users to spread the word on the social network as well by sharing an informative video or by sporting one of the avatars created for today. Finally, Google is also doing its part with a link on the homepage, something it very rarely does. The link leads to a page set up on Google.org, the company's philanthropic arm, listing some of the organizations fighting AIDS worldwide.
